STATE OF INDIANA

COUNTY OF MARION

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BEFORE THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

 

COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT,

Complainant,

v.

HAAS CABINET CO., INC.,

Respondent.

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Case No. 2005-15370-H



 

AGREED ORDER

 

The Complainant and the Respondent desire to settle and compromise this action without hearing or adjudication of any issue of fact or law, and consent to the entry of the following Findings of Fact and Order.

 

I.  FINDINGS OF FACT

 

1.                   Complainant is the Commissioner (“Complainant”) of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, a department of the State of Indiana created by IC 13-13-1-1.

 

2.                   Respondent is Haas Cabinet Co., Inc. ("Respondent"), which owns and operates the facility with U.S. EPA ID No. INR000109009, located at 4414 Bud Prather Road, in Speed, Clark County, Indiana (“Site”).

 

3.                   The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (“IDEM”) has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

 

4.                   Pursuant to IC 13-30-3-3, on March 24, 2006, IDEM issued a Notice of Violation via Certified Mail to:

 

Mr. Don C. Haas, President and Registered Agent

Haas Cabinet Co., Inc.

625 West Utica Street

Sellersburg, Indiana 47172

 

5.                   Respondent notified the U.S. EPA of Large Quantity Generator activities on May 13, 2003.  Respondent manufactures kitchen cabinets / bathroom facilities.

 

6.                   An inspection on February 1, 2005 and October 28, 2005 was conducted at the Site by a representative of IDEM’s Office of Land Quality (“OLQ”).  The following violations were in existence or observed at the time of these inspections:

 

a.                   Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.11, a person who generates a solid waste must determine if that waste is hazardous.  Respondent did not make hazardous waste determinations for flammable liquid spent solvents and associated still bottoms or solvent contaminated rags, wipes and PPE, which were solid wastes generated by Respondent.

 

            Respondent corrected violations by: adding of F codes to the flammable liquid spent solvents and associated still bottoms wastestream profiles, obtaining a laundry service for the solvent contaminated rags and disposing of solvent contaminated wipes and PPE as a hazardous waste.

 

b.                   Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(2), a generator may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 90 days or less without a permit, provided that the date when the accumulation begins is clearly marked and visible for inspection on each container.  Respondent did not clearly mark twenty-eight waste solvent containers with accumulation start dates.

 

c.                   Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(3), a generator may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 90 days or less without a permit, provided that containers are marked with the words "Hazardous Waste."  Respondent did not mark twenty-eight waste solvent containers with the words "Hazardous Waste."

 

d.                   Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(ii), a generator may accumulate as much as 55 gallons of hazardous waste at or near the point of generation without a permit and without complying with 40 CFR 262.34(a), provided that the containers are marked with either the words "Hazardous Waste" or with other words describing the contents.  Respondent did not properly label one 55-gallon satellite accumulation container and two five gallon spent solvent satellite accumulation containers.  This violation was noted during the February 1, 2005 and October 28, 2005 inspections.

 

e.                   Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(1)(i) and 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(i) referencing 40 CFR 265.173(a), a container holding hazardous waste must always be closed during storage, unless necessary to add or remove waste.  Respondent did not store two five-gallon spent solvent containers and two 55-gallon satellite accumulation containers closed.  This violation was noted during the February 1, 2005 and October 28, 2005 inspections.

 

Respondent closed all containers at the time of the inspections.

 

f.                     Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.16(a), (b), & (c), facility personnel must complete a program of classroom instruction or on-the-job training that teaches them to perform their duties in compliance with the hazardous waste management rules.  Employees must be trained within six months after their date of hire and must take part in an annual review of the initial training.  Respondent did not provide employees with personnel training.

 

g.                   Pursuant 40 CFR 273.14(e) and 329 IAC 3.1-16-2(4), to a small quantity handler of universal waste must ensure each lamp or a container or package in which such lamps are contained is labeled or marked clearly with words that identify the contents as waste / used lamps or other words which accurately identify the universal waste lamps.  Respondent accumulated used lamps in the Maintenance Shop that were not properly labeled.  This violation was noted during the February 1, 2005 and October 28, 2005 inspections.

 

h.                   Pursuant to 40 CFR 273.13(d)(1), a small quantity handler of universal waste must manage lamps in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment.  Respondent accumulated used lamps in the Maintenance Shop that were not properly managed.  This violation was noted during the February 1, 2005 and October 28, 2005 inspections.

 

i.                     Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.52, a facility’s contingency plan must include certain information.  Respondent's contingency plan did not include all of the required information.

 

j.                     Pursuant to 40 CFR 268.7(a), a generator must determine if a hazardous waste is restricted from land disposal and if the waste has to be treated before being land disposed.  Respondent did not determine if solvent contaminated rags, wipes and PPE were restricted from land disposal.

 

k.                   Pursuant to IC 13-30-2-1(12), a person may not cause or allow the transportation of a hazardous waste without a manifest if a manifest is required by law.  Respondent caused or allowed the transportation of solvent contaminated rags, wipes and PPE without a manifest as required by law.

 

l.                     Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.20, a generator who transports or offers for transportation, hazardous waste for off-site treatment, storage, or disposal, must prepare a manifest.  Respondent transported solvent contaminated rags, wipes and PPE off-site without preparing a manifest.

 

m.                 Pursuant to 40 CFR 262.12(c), a generator must not offer its hazardous waste to transporters or to treatment, storage, or disposal facilities that have not received an EPA identification number.  Respondent sent its solvent contaminated rags, wipes and PPE to a disposal facility that did not have an EPA identification number.

 

7.                   In recognition of the settlement reached, Respondent waives any right to administrative and judicial review of this Agreed Order.

 

II.  ORDER

 

1.                   This Agreed Order shall be effective ("Effective Date") when it is approved by the Complainant or his delegate, and has been received by the Respondent.  This Agreed Order shall have no force or effect until the Effective Date.

 

2.                   Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 262.34(a)(2) and 40 CFR 262.34(a)(3).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure that the accumulation start date and the words “Hazardous Waste” are clearly marked and visible on hazardous waste containers and that such proper management practices are maintained in the future.

 

3.                   Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(ii).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure satellite accumulation containers are marked with the words “Hazardous Waste” or with other words that identify the contents of the container.

 

4.                   Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 262.34(a)(1)(i) and 40 CFR 262.34(c)(1)(i) referencing 40 CFR 265.173(a).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure containers remain closed during storage, unless necessary to add or remove waste, and that such proper management practices are maintained in the future.

 

5.                   Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.16(a), (b), & (c).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure completion of annual personnel training.  Respondent has documented completion of several of the requirements; however, not all requirements have been completed.  Respondent shall submit the following documents to the individual and address listed in paragraph 9 of the Order section:

 

a.                   A written description of training that is given to each designated employee for each job listing, and

b.                   Records that document the required training, as specified by 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.16(a), (b), & (c),  has been completed.

 

6.                   Within ten (10) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 273.13(d)(1), 40 CFR 273.14(e) and 329 IAC 3.1-16-2(4). Specifically, Respondent shall ensure that the accumulated used lamps are properly labeled or marked clearly with words that accurately identify the contents and ensure such accumulated lamps are properly managed.

 

7.                   Within forty-five (45) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall comply with 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.52.  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure completion of a Contingency Plan.  Respondent has documented completion of several of the requirements; however, not all requirements have been completed.  Respondent shall submit the following document to the individual and address listed in paragraph 9 of the Order section:

 

a.                   A Contingency Plan which meets the requirements specified in 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) referencing 40 CFR 265.52.

 

8.                   Respondent shall comply with IC 13-30-2-1(12), 40 CFR 262.20 and 40 CFR 262.12(c).  Specifically, Respondent shall ensure hazardous waste is properly manifested prior to transportation and that such waste is received by a transporter or treatment, storage and disposal facility that maintain an EPA identification number.

 

9.                   All submittals required by this Agreed Order, unless notified otherwise in writing, shall be sent to:

 

Linda L. McClure, Enforcement Case Manager

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Office of Enforcement - Mail Code 60-02

100 N. Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

 

 

10.               Respondent is assessed a civil penalty of Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000).  Said penalty amount shall be due and payable to the Environmental Management Special Fund within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order.

 

11.               In the event the terms and conditions of the following paragraphs are violated, the Complainant may assess and the Respondent shall pay a stipulated penalty in the following amount:

 

Violation

Penalty

 

 

Failure to comply with Order paragraph 5

$500 per week

 

 

Failure to comply with Order paragraph 7

$500 per week

 

12.               Stipulated penalties shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days after Respondent receives written notice that the Complainant has determined a stipulated penalty is due.  Assessment and payment of stipulated penalties shall not preclude the Complainant from seeking any additional relief against the Respondent for violation of the Agreed Order.  In lieu of any of the stipulated penalties given above, the Complainant may seek any other remedies or sanctions available by virtue of Respondent’s violation of this Agreed Order or Indiana law, including, but not limited to, civil penalties pursuant to IC 13-30-4.

 

13.               Civil and stipulated penalties are payable by check to the Environmental Management Special Fund.  Checks shall include the Case Number of this action and shall be mailed to:

 

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Cashier’s Office - Mail Code  50-10C

100 N. Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

 

 

14.               In the event that the civil penalty required by Order paragraph 10 is not paid within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreed Order, Respondent shall pay interest on the unpaid balance at the rate established by IC 24-4.6-1-101.  The interest shall continue to accrue until the civil penalty is paid in full.

 

15.               This Agreed Order shall apply to and be binding upon the Respondent, its successors and assigns. The Respondent's signatories to this Agreed Order certify that they are fully authorized to execute this document and legally bind the parties they represent.  No change in ownership, corporate, or partnership status of the Respondent shall in any way alter its status or responsibilities under this Agreed Order.

 

16.               In the event that any terms of the Agreed Order are found to be invalid, the remaining terms shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreed Order did not contain the invalid terms.

 

17.               The Respondent shall provide a copy of this Agreed Order, if in force, to any subsequent owners or successors before ownership rights are transferred.   Respondent shall ensure that all contractors, firms and other persons performing work under this Agreed Order comply with the terms of this Agreed Order.

 

18.               This Agreed Order shall remain in effect until IDEM issues a Resolution of Case letter to Respondent.

 

TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATION:

 

RESPONDENT:

Department of Environmental Management

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Nancy L. Johnston, Chief

 

Printed:

 

 

Office of Enforcement

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

COUNSEL FOR COMPLAINANT:

 

COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENT:

Department of Environmental Management

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office of Legal Counsel

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Date:

 

 

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT THIS

 

 DAY OF

 

, 200

 

.

 

 

For The Commissioner:

 

 

 

Signed on August 23, 2006

 

Matthew T. Klein

 

Assistant Commissioner for

 

Compliance and Enforcement